It is still to be determined whether or not there will be end of the season awards given out at Saratoga Casino Hotel this year due to the abbreviated season and the major reduction in Opens contested.
If there are awards, you can pretty much lock up Filly and Mare Pacer of the Year for Bontz N (American Ideal). The Gary Levine trainee was dynamic earlier in the season, winning four consecutive instalments of the Open for distaffers and on Tuesday afternoon, she added another to her tally.
Bontz N came into the $9,350 Fillies and Mares Open off a victory but she had dropped in class to secure that win. Leading driver Billy Dobson was back in the bike on Tuesday as the nine-year-old mare cruised out to early lead in the feature. Clicking off a first quarter in :27.3 before going a half in :57 over a sloppy track, Bontz N was met with her first challenge approaching three quarters. She rebuffed a first-over rival and held strong in the stretch before reporting home a three-quarters of a length winner in 1:55.1.
The race’s 3-5 betting favourite, Bontz N recorded her sixth Open victory of the season besting Racine Bell (Jimmy Devaux) and Pasultimatedelite N (Jay Randall) who first second and third, respectively.
Levine holds a small lead in the trainer standings after a pair of Tuesday victories. Bontz N accounted for one of three wins for her connections as Levine and Dobson teamed up with owner of April Aldrich of Greenfield Center, NY for victories with pacers JK Heaven Sent (Rock N Roll Heaven) and Western Beachboy (Somebeachsomewhere). The latter sizzled through the slop winning in a dazzling 1:52.2 with Dobson in the bike. The meet’s leading driver piloted four winners on the card.
Live racing takes place every Monday and Tuesday afternoon with first post time set for 12 p.m.
(Saratoga Casino Hotel)